Iceland reveals plans for new Tullamore store

Tullamore is among the locations in the Midlands earmarked for the expansion of Iceland supermarket brand next year in a development which could yield up to 50 jobs. The AIM Group, the company behind the Iceland franchise in Ireland, confirmed this week that it is looking at a possible site for the discount chain in Tullamore and it would hope to make progress on opening an outlet in the town during next year. This follows the food retailer's commitment to open new stores and start trading in Longford and Athlone in 2012. "We plan to open another eight to twelve next year (2012) and have a 40-50 stores in Ireland by 2014," Tom Keogh, Group Chief Executive of AIM Group explained of the company's expansion proposals, with stores in Longford, Cork and Waterford among the first due to open in the early part of next year. The stores usually measures around 8,000 to 10,000 square foot in size and are generally located in an area with large footfall, in line with existing stores situated close to business parks, shopping centres or a site close to the urban area. Recruitment will begin in Tullamore once contracts have been signed on a premises and an opening date has been agreed. "It's a value led proposition. What sets Iceland aside is that frozen food is the main part of what we offer. It's a unique offering and has been very successful in the UK where there are 800 stores," the AIM Group chief said of the appeal of the brand. Mr Keogh added that it is currently in talks with a number of Irish suppliers to increase the amount of Irish produce on offer once the company reaches a critical mass of stores open nationwide. Produce from Ireland is already stocked in UK Iceland stores which employ over 22,000 store and home delivery staff. Iceland currently has eight stores in Ireland, having opened four in the month of November alone and its first outside Dublin in Carlow, Clonmel and Ashbourne. The AIM Group owns the master franchise of Iceland, which was founded in 1990 by Naeem Maniar and is one of Ireland's largest privately owned wholesale and retail businesses. The group operates a number of well known retail brands as well as Iceland.